International Men’s Day

19th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

International Men’s Day serves as a global observance to celebrate the positive contributions and achievements of men while raising awareness of the unique challenges they may face. It offers an opportunity to promote positive masculinity, highlight issues related to men’s health, and foster discussions on topics like mental health, gender equality, and the importance of positive male role models.

On International Men’s Day, as Catholics, we reflect upon the teachings of our faith that emphasize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. It is a moment to appreciate the positive contributions of men in our communities, families, and the Church. In alignment with Christian principles, we recognize the importance of fostering virtues such as humility, compassion, and service, encouraging men to fulfill their roles in ways that reflect the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. This day also serves as a reminder to pray for the well-being of all men, acknowledging their unique challenges and joys. As we celebrate International Men’s Day, let us strive for a society where men are empowered to live out their faith and contribute positively to the world, guided by the values of love, justice, and compassion exemplified by Jesus.

Be watchful, stand firm in faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

St Edmund’s Book Fair Competition

17th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

St Edmund’s is holding a book fair competition challenging the students to take a photo of themselves reading in the most unusual place.

Students wanting more information can speak to Mrs Smith, our Academy Librarian.

Eyes On The Skies – Y7 Learn About Rockets At RAF Cosford

17th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

This Wednesday and Thursday, Year 7 went to RAF Cosford to learn about the science behind rockets.

In a dedicated workshop, they were given the opportunity to discover how rockets and planes moved through the air. They then went on to build their own and saw how these paper rockets flew as they tried to hit a target.

There were only 4 students who hit the target from Wednesday group.

   

As well as their rocket workshop, the students were given the opportunity to learn the history of the RAF.

   

Leia shared her wishes to fly in the future.

Other students learnt the role of the RAF in different conflicts throughout history and around the world.

The students thoroughly enjoyed their days out and gained an understanding of aerospace science and history. Thank you to Mrs Cooper, Chemistry teacher, for her amazing work in organising these trips – we can’t wait for the next one!

What A Goal! – Well Done To Our Premier League Inspires Students

16th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Last year some of our current Year 11 students took part in the Premier League Inspires challenge. Their goal was to create an initiative in response to the challenge “Protect the Planet”.

Jenson, Jamie, Harley, Gavan, Charlie and Abigail were part of the winning team with their idea to recycle plastics bottles and cups into training tops.

Mr Banks, Inclusion Manager, said of the challenge, “Working with the Wolves Foundation on the Premier League Inspires Programme offered such fantastic opportunities for growth and development of our students.”

The group’s innovative concept caught the attention of the PL Inspires leaders and saw their design selected as the most impactful project idea for the 2022/23 season.

Well done to the team!

Pictured left to right: Jenson, Jamie, Harley, Gavan, Charlie and Abigail.

Photo credit: Wolves Photographer

For more details see the article on the Wolves website:
https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/foundation/20231116-st-edmund-s-gain-national-acclaim-for-wolves-recycling-project/

You can also read the article in The Express and Star: https://www.expressandstar.com/news/education/2023/11/20/wolves-foundation-sets-up-a-schools-dragons-den-on-recycling/

Thank You For You Support

16th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

This year at St Edmund’s we had another successful charity campaign for the Royal British Legion. Our funds were part of thousands raised across the country in support of armed forces personnel and veterans.

Thank you to everyone who donated through the poppy appeal.

Guess My Job with Year 7

15th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Yesterday employers came into the school for a “Guess My Job” careers event. 

Pupils were tasked with identifying which employer (by appearance alone) matched which named career. 

Pupils learnt to never judge a book by its cover as St Edmund’s Catholic Academy try to tackle stereotyping people in particular roles. They were very engaged and asked lots of interesting questions to help them better understand each job role.

Fútbol Lingo

14th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Yesterday  we were lucky to have Fútbol Lingo come to visit us to discuss the importance of languages when working in the sports industry. Pupils listened to Pierce Kiembi, a YDP coach, discussing his career in football and his journey through language learning, from not understanding the importance of languages to getting ahead in his career thanks to learning languages.

We were invited to consider the role that languages play in everyday life in the sports industry and Pierce discussed the differing positions that needed languages from player level, to managers and coaches, all the way through to staff in the stadiums to journalists and player liaison officers.

We learnt that ‘the more you learn, the more you earn’ and how FIFA as an international federation requires all its employees to speak at least 2 languages just to be considered for any role. 

Being a linguist makes you highly sought after in the job market and it was great to see our pupils learning the significance of this.

 

Making The World A Better Place This Chemistry Week

13th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Last week we celebrated chemistry week, with the theme “chemistry making the world a better place”. Ms Alsop, our Chemistry Assistant Curriculum Lead, dressed up as a different element or compound. Students have also been finding out about the range of exciting careers in chemistry – for more information go to https://edu.rsc.org/future-in-chemistry.

   

Chemistry Week becomes an opportunity to recognise and appreciate the intricate beauty of God’s creation as unveiled through the lens of chemistry. It is a time to marvel at the order, precision, and complexity woven into the fabric of the natural world, with an understanding that the study of chemistry is a form of exploration and stewardship of God’s handiwork. This week serves as a reminder of the responsibility to care for the Earth and its resources, appreciating the role of science and technology in promoting the common good.

       

Anti-Bullying Week

13th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Anti-Bullying Week provides a crucial opportunity for communities, schools, and individuals to come together in solidarity against the pervasive issue of bullying. This dedicated week serves as a platform for raising awareness, fostering empathy, and encouraging open conversations about the impact of bullying on individuals’ mental and emotional well-being.

During Anti-Bullying Week, we, as Catholics, are called to reflect upon the teachings of Christ and embrace the profound message of love, compassion, and understanding. In the spirit of Christian values, we recognise that each person is uniquely created in the image of God, deserving of dignity and respect. Bullying contradicts the core principles of our faith, as it seeks to harm and diminish the inherent worth of individuals. As followers of Christ, we are compelled to foster a culture of kindness, empathy, and inclusion, where all members of our community can flourish. Let us prayerfully commit ourselves to creating environments where every person feels cherished and protected, in alignment with the teachings of Jesus Christ, who exemplified unconditional love and compassion. In doing so, we actively contribute to the promotion of a world free from the scourge of bullying, reflecting the light of Christ’s transformative love.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souls and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31

Diwali

12th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of great significance to many of our Sikh and Hindu brothers and sisters and holds a universal message that resonates with Catholic values. Diwali can be seen as a festival that symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Just as we celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus, Sikhs and Hindus celebrate Diwali as the victory of light and righteousness. It reminds us of the importance of dispelling ignorance, hatred, and negativity in our lives and society, and replacing them with love, knowledge, and compassion. It is an opportunity to come together with people of different faiths, emphasising our shared commitment to promoting peace, joy, and unity. As Catholics, we appreciate the diversity of the world’s religious traditions and can find common ground in the universal themes of love, hope, and the eternal battle between good and evil, as beautifully illustrated in the Festival of Diwali.

Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. – Isaiah 60:3